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4.17.2013

Boston, A Place I Call Home

It's hard to come up with words, but it doesn't feel right to not say anything, so here's my attempt...

As many of you know, I live in West Roxbury, which is part of Boston. I've lived in the Boston area for the past seven years. I never imagined anything like what happened Monday happening in a place I call home.

On Monday morning, I was disappointed that I was heading to work and not off to celebrate Patriots' Day, the Red Sox, and the marathoners. On Monday afternoon, I sat at my desk, listening to sirens -- incessant sirens -- and helicopters and just knew that something was wrong. During the Boston Marathon, it's not unusual to hear sirens -- running injuries and heat exhaustion are likely -- but it is unusual to hear sirens that just don't stop. So I turned to Twitter and stared in disbelief at tweet after tweet about explosions at the marathon finish line.

I immediately thought of Jeff who had been watching the Red Sox game at Fenway and who I knew would be along the marathon route watching. I checked in to make sure he was safe. Luckily, I was able to reach him and he was. Then I thought about other people I knew who were running and watching the marathon and hoped they were safe as well. And then I answered texts and messages from family and friends who were checking in to make sure I was safe.

Today I continue to think about everyone who was affected -- those injured or killed and their families and friends, those runners who trained all year and never got to cross the finish line, those of us who live here who now feel that our city has lost its innocence.

And then I think about everyone out there supporting us, all the good deeds, the acts of kindness, the selflessness, the bravery, the coming together in a time of tragedy. It helps to know that in the midst of all the bad there is so much good.

Monday was life changing. Patriots' Day will never be the same. The Boston Marathon will never be the same. Walking down Boylston Street will never feel the same. But as President Obama said, "Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are its people. I’m supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city." And while this will take time, I know we will.

One small way to help and show your support is to dine at any of the Boston-area restaurants on this list tonight. They will be donating a portion of their proceeds (10%-50%) to the Greg Hill Foundation. All donations will go directly to the victims injured during the Boston Marathon Bombings.